A Finished Heart

There’s a story behind this quilt; a few days after Dad died, during the Easter/Passover weekend, a young woman the same age as my youngest was involved in a head-on collision. I’ve known this lovely person since she was nine, and even though my soul was aching over my father’s death, my heart and thoughts were with another family across the country, wondering about the health of their child.

I love Moda’s sea theme; I used the whales in my youngest daughter’s quilt, and another amid the low volume prints.

Fortunately this woman suffered just broken bones, in the words of her mum, with whom I was in close contact for those initial weeks. Still, broken bones are injuries that while will heal, the severity was alarming; I wrote a poem about it, after getting to chat with that gal, which made my day for hearing her chipper voice, then speaking to her mother, who enlightened me to the full extent of the damage.

I quilted this in a diagonal manner, and other than a few puckers, it came out well.

As she said, there was no head, spinal, or internal organ trauma; still all those lower limb issues will take months to knit themselves back together. Thank goodness that woman has youth and determination on her side, not to mention a fantastic family and so many supporters flung far and wide. I am so lucky to be amoung them, and on their behalf, I’ve sewn this quilt.

It’s a heart from my hands, also from the multitudes. It’s made with fabric, also many prayers, much love, and flannel that might feel warm as summer arrives, but will be ever so cozy in autumn and winter, when the owner has full mobility and needs something under which to snuggle.

Marbled gray flannel became the back, as I had enough of it on hand. The binding is scrappy, leftover from the batiks used on the front.

It’s also a demarcation for me personally; probably one of the last traditionally pieced quilts I’ll make. I won’t say it’s the definitive final traditional outing; never say never. But probably.

I love a colourful binding, especially against the gray, and around the low volume prints.

Since I finished this quilt, I’ve constructed some improv mug rugs and a wall hanging. It’s been a busy time for me, waiting for a baby, wrapping up the edits on The Hawk. In fact today I did nothing connected with that novel; instead I sewed, snapped photos of a pixilated heart while clouds kept shadows at bay. I watched a terrific Giants’ victory in Milwaukee, hehehe, and am awaiting what will hopefully be another sporting win for the Golden State Warriors tonight in Houston. It’s been a relaxing holiday, a good day to consider one’s blessings. This quilt and for whom it will be sent are two.

While I was outside, I shot this of my husband’s green beans. He’s quite proud of them, lol….

And more blessings are expected this week…. In the meantime, I’ll pack up this comforter, for a trip to the post office most likely tomorrow. Best to get it sent sooner rather than later. Later I’m hoping to cuddle a new grandchild!